On Tuesday, Dec. 10, it was announced that setter Italia Bernal entered the transfer portal.

Bernal, now going into her junior year, played her first two seasons at WSU. Her freshman season, in 2024, she was the primary setter for the Cougars. She played in 27 out of 28 matches, led the Cougars in assists (806), was tied for the second-most aces on the team (31) and even had the second-most digs on the Cougars (235). Her 806 assists ranked No. 7 in the West Coast Conference. 

This season, Bernal played in 26 out of 28 matches and recorded 571 assists (the most on the team), 32 service aces (second-most on the team and 12th-most in the WCC) and 174 digs (second-most on the team). She also had 6.14 assists per set, ranking No. 9 in the WCC.

However, Bernal did not split as much time with Jaden Walz, the other setter on the roster last season, her freshman year as she did with freshman Livia Ward this year.

Walz, a graduate student last year, only started nine matches, while Bernal started 19. Walz also had 537 fewer assists than Bernal did. Despite only playing one fewer set, Walz was not as big of a contributor as Ward was this season.

Ward recorded 497 assists and 158 digs this season. Ward also played in six more sets (99) compared to Bernal (93). However, Bernal started 19 more matches than Ward and received more playing time in general.

If Bernal leaves, this will most likely leave the Cougars in the market for another setter. Head coach Korey Schroeder constantly substituted Ward and Bernal for each other in matches this season.

This is also because it was also announced, on Dec. 9, that freshman Jackie Carle, the third-string setter for the Cougars this season, is entering the transfer portal. Carle did not receive any playing time this past season.

If they both depart, Ward would be the only setter on the 2025 roster that is currently set to return next season.